14th of February 2014:

Another week we see Pharrell Williams Happy about being No.1 in Germany. It is the fifth week at the Top which means Happy is the longest standing No.1 for the singer. Additionally his total of number 1 weeks is 11 which makes him as successful as AVICII. Only Rihanna had more in this decade: a full 16 weeks at the Top since January 1st 2010.

REVOLVERHELD finally has a fourth Top 10 hit with Ich lass für dich das Licht an rising 11–7. The new demand comes due to its release on CD. According to chart position the song already has overtaken Halt dich an mir fest which is so far the most sold single of the band. The highest position REVOLVERHELD gained with Helden 2008 in exactly that year.

A fortnight before its release on CD Can't Remember To Forget You goes Top 10. It is Shakira's 11th Top 10 single in Germany – Rihanna performs much better. So far she has 21 Top 10 singles under her belt–matching the result of ABBA. For becoming the act with most Top 10 singles she has to add some more. The all time record still is an unbelievable amount of 36 Top 10 hits set by Caterina Valente between 1954 and 1962–of course only if you count her hits as Club Italia/Indonesia/Honolulu to herself. Otherwise the record is held by Peter Alexander with 35 Top 10 hits under his own name.

Looks like German producer ZEDD right now becomes a mainstream star. His single Stay The Night (featuring Haley Williams of Paramor) enters the Top 20 at number 15 one week ahead of its release as a proper CD single. In the US he already is a star–decorated with an Grammy award as Best Dance Recording for predecessor Clarity three weeks ago.

TV soap Berlin – Tag und Nacht launches a third hit. After Ole (2012) and Chris Prinz (2013) it is now JJ alias Très Jolie who released a production. Bow! (You Gotta Kick It) lands at number 20 which marks the highest position for a track related to the soap.

Single number 4 from AVICII's album True is the track Addicted To You which will be released as full single in April. Already now the track becomes hit status by rising 95–28. Predecessor Hey Brother performs still well inside the Top 20.


DSDS infected hits
Since 8th of January the 11th season of DSDS (Deutschland sucht den Superstar) is aired. So far only jury member Kay One benefitted from the new presence–his hits V.I.P. and Keep Calm Fuck You returned to the list and sneaking through the bottom down regions of the list. This week also Ich hass es dich zu lieben returns to number 91.

The first song performed by a contestant this week gets in the list. It is the ballad When I Look At You originally recorded by Miley Cyrus that returns at number 60. The original chart appearance stopped in August 2010 at number 85–so this is a new peak. The album the song is taken from The Time Of Our Lives is right now digitally re-released. What an impact for a simple TV show.

Hot Spot 02-08-13

It is week number 4 at the top for will.i.am &Britney Spears and their hit Scream & Shout.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz now reach the Top 10 in Germany also. Thrift Shop lands at number 8 and it is worth mentioning that the track is purchased only via their own independent label. I would call it a ray of future which shines through the list these days.

Swiss DJ Antoine has released a new album calling Sky Is The Limit which storms to number 6 at the album charts. The title track is the highest new entry at number 15 this week in the singles list although it is not scheduled for a release as a single itself. Additionally official single Bella Vita reaches the list at number 37 and a third track called House Party (feat. B-Case & U-JEAN) lands at number 94.

Rihanna’s next single Stay enters the Top 20 and is on the way to become her 19th Top 10 hit. The release as CD single is scheduled for February 15th.

TV soap Berlin - Tag und Nacht causes a next hit. It is the title song that now enters at number 32. So far only character/actor Ole (ohne Kohle) had a short chart success last summer (the numerous regular pop hits supported by using them in the backround are not counted here).

DSDS fever starts – on 26th and 30th January the recall shows were aired. Big winner was the group with Wincent Weiß. They performed Wie soll ein Mensch das ertragen originally recorded by Philipp Poisel. That version climbs to number 41 this week again and gives the track the highest rank achieved since last September.
Also the candidates performing Idiot were successful – the original by Michell & Matthias Reim re-enters after a two years break. (By the way: Matthias Reim just released his new album making the track Einsamer Stern flying to number 49).
Finally French Laura Kleinas got some fans – the song performed by her In Love With The World finds its way in the list.

24-12: Speed Up The Charts For The Soccer EM

A second week for Eurovision winner Loreen at Number 1 position and an almost completely static Top 10 – that’s the situation this week. But we do have 16 new entries inside the Top 100 which means the summer turnover started two weeks ago continues lower down the list. By the way: It is the week with most new entries in 2012 and 2011 at all. The last time we had 16 or more new entries is exactly two years ago. That's impressive. Could it mean that a very slow chart phase comes to an end? A reason could be the renewed chart rules ... read about it further down this text.

Let’s start our litlle flight through interesting moves and entries at the Top: The only one significant mover in the upper regions is Burn It Down by Linkin Park which jumps after full release as CD single and launch of a video 20–10. After nearly 3 years the band is back inside the German Top 10. More and more Austria and Germany establish as the market where the band is most succesfull worldwide.

The effect of having a video available is seen twice in this current list. Also Coldplay & Rihanna take a leap with Princess Of Cgina after the video is online (and on TV) since 4th of June. In its sixth chart week the single reaches the upper half for the very first time.


An European summer hit starts at number 11 as the highest new entry in the list this week. Tacatà by Italian TACABRO already is Top 10 in Denmark, France, Switzerland, Finland and Belgium. Now it starts in Germany also.




One of the big fire makers in the list is approaching EURO 2012. With the start of the event also the official anthem of this year’s championship Endless Summer by German singer Oceana catches fire. The single jumps 38–13 in its fourth chart week. In Poland the track already holds number 1. It is more than possible that we see the song climbing to the top in Germany as well in a few days. The matches are highly anticipated from the beginning of the tournament.

Public TV channel ZDF had chose another song for surrounding its reports and matches broadcasting meanwhile. Ukrainian band Los Colorados became popular by covering famous pop songs in polka style. For advertising the EM the band (or the chanel) took the song I Like To Move It by Reel 2 Real from the year 1994. It is the fifth time for the song that a version can reach the charts. Last time we heard it one year ago when Markus Becker offered his German cover which had a one week run on the survey. I guess the new version will have a slightly longer life.



And also the national football association DFB is offering an own fan song for the EM. It is Für nichts auf dieser Welt (For Nothing On This World) by Roger Cicero which can right after release on CD enter the list. So far Mr. Cicero only had once a really hit in the singles list. It was his Eurovision attempt in 2007 Frauen regiern die Welt that reached number 7.



When we speak right now about soccer and match anthems: Do you remember the big soccer hymn of the year? Nooossaa! Ai Se Eu Te Pego! is still in the charts. But we do have already a succeeder with Balada (Tchê tcherere tchê tchê) which is offered by Brazilian Gusttavo Lima. In Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and France the single already reached the Top of thecharts. Now it is sold in Germany also. The song so far is available as download only–physical sales will count from next week’s chart on. And Brazilian star Neymar also provided a new dance ...





Let's have a look what comes new from German acts. Singer CHIMA has the honour of being the German newcomer of the week. With Morgen (Tomorrow) he is listed for the first time as an solo artist inside the charts. As member of Brothers Keepers he already know what it means of having a chart hit. In 2001 the project reached number 5 with its hit Adriano. The new single is about planning a new beginning, a change of life–but tomorrow. So it is probably both: optimistic and tragic.




Ole ohne Kohle (Ole without bucks) is the next newcomer. He is known as actor of the soap Berlin Tag und Nacht (Berlin Night And Day). His first single Ich bin kein Model und kein Superstar (I’m not a model or a superstar) is a typical Mallorca sound denying the celebrated life style on casting TV shows.



There are a few hits coming from Israel in the history of the German charts. These days it is Asaf Avidan who gets a little more attention. His folk song Reckoning Song was remixed by a Berlin DJ called Wankelmut. The remix became very popular on soundcloud under the name One Day. Finally this mix is available as digital single provided by Four music. As artists appear Asaf Avidan and DJ Wankelmut both.



The original recording by Asaf Avidan


Alongside with the album Karton the single Auf dem Weg (On the way) by German singer Mark Forster enters the sales charts again with a new peak at number 71.

Finally we should add a category called Casting stars updated. Do you remember Popstars season 2008? No. Of course not. Well–winner were four ladies who were put together in a girl group called Queensberry. Already the first single No Smoke / I Can’t Stop Feeling failed dramatically. In 2009 the girls had two Top 10 hits followed by a lot of trouble inside the group. Two ladies left, two new came in, the deal with the label UNIVERSAL was cancelled at the end of last years and earlier this year Selina Herrero left the band … now they are three and start a new chapter. Chapter 3 as their album is called. The first single Timeless is in shelves now. It can reach the German sales charts. That’s good news. It lands at number 90. That’s deflating for some ex-popstars. The song itself sounds very plastic and non-emotional. Probably chapter 3 is over soon.




A movie is causing a further chart entry in Germany. With the screening of Snow White & The Huntsman in German theatres also the title track can enter the sales charts. Florence + the Machin were inspired by the movie’s characters and recorded Breath Of Life. Although the movie was successful in English speaking countries as well the song couldn’t chart there at all.






From June the 1st on there is a change in the way the German charts are compiled. Now all songs available digitally or on CD are automatically eligible for the list. Before June tracks had to be registered for becoming chart eligible. The full rules are here.

This tiny policy already had influence on the charts. Last year Eurovision stars JEDWARD were everywhere the most sold act in download shops for a full week–but did not appear on the “official” sales charts by media control due to the fact that the label UNIVERSAL did not register their song Lipstick for being chart eligible.

The first artist/track that benefits from the change is German rap superstar CRO. His song Hi Kids already is a hit on platforms like youtube for months. It did not appear in the list cause t was not ment to be a single. Now the track enters the list as it is automatically chart eligible at number 72. Considering the time the track is already available and that it was given for free in autumn last year this rank must be seen as a very high new entry.



Second beneficiary of the new chart rules are KiD CuDi Feat. MGMT & Ratatat with their track Pursuit Of Happiness which is available as a download track since April this year. The track became popular mostly due to a remix version by Steve Aoki. As different versions and remixes are summed up to a single rank in the charts position 85 reflects both the sales of the original and the remix.

Somehow also Swedish AVICII might thank the new policy. His track Silhouettes finally can make it into the list. But the full promotion in Germany did not yet start. Let’s wait till the full video is released officially.

17-12: Long selling casting show tracks

There is a new number 1 single in Germany. Alex Clare rises two places and sees his Too Close shining at the top spot. The soundtrack of the Internet Explorer commercial is the first dubstep number 1 in Germany. So it took the style more than two years to achieve the success it has already in his home country Britain.

Having a new number 1 means Olly Murs & Rizzle Kicks have to clear the way. Heart Skips A Beat tumbles impressive six places to number 7. It is the deepest fall off the number 1 position since Pietro Lombardi did so in June last year after his Call My Name occupied the top spot for four weeks.

Further Top 10 action
Now they are 30. Die Toten Hosen had their very first performance on 10th April 1982. Of course a lot of papers, radios and TV stations celebrated that anniversary with stories and specials. The huge media presence helps lifting the actual Hosen single to number 2. It is the biggest jump inside the Top 10.

The hot phase of the DSDS casting started on 14th April when the last four aspirants performed for qualification to the next round. The most succesful performance in chart terms actually was again the one of Jesse Ritch who offered a version on She doesn’t Mind which is a recent hit by Sean Paul. After the Saturday night show the single got a sales boost landing again at number 3 in its 11th week inside the Top 10. Poor Jesse had to leave the show a week later.

Of course also other DSDS candidates made their impact on the charts. Again a Top 20 hit is Eiserner Steg by Philipp Poisel. Luca Hänni–one of the big favourites and finally the winner–performed the song and caused the second big demand for the original single. Back in January the song reached number 4 after Benny Fiedler performed the song on The Voice of Germany. A week later the contestant was voted off the show … Luca Hänni had a completely different destiny.

Also the songs chosen by Luca for the category pop and rock reach the list after his performance. Beautiful People originally recorded by Chris Brown & Benny Benassi so far collected 25 chart weeks with a peak at number 30. Now it is back at number 42. Respect! The rock song Chasing Cars already collected 64 weeks in 14 chart runs. For sure that’s the reason why we see the original recording by Snow Patrol only sneak in the list at the lowest end.

Speaking about songs with many chart runs we can switch to the next contestant. Daniele Negroni helps the Kings_Of_Leon back in the charts. Sex_On_Fire charted a month ago last when Use Somebody re-appeared after a performance by combatant Luca Hänni. After Daniele staged with Sex_On_Fire the song jumps back to number 41 which is the highest position since three years. All in all the track now enters the list for the 13th time and slowly approaches the all time record set by Last Christmas in the version of Wham! which charted 16 times in its career. Another song joins the drop in drop out statistic at the top: Das Beste by Silbermond had 14 chart runs.

German productions
Best new single start this week comes from Monrose singer Mandy Capristo. First she appeared at the end of last year alongside Peter Maffay on his sixth Tabaluga album. Now she comes with an own song collection from which The Way I Like It is the first single. It is a well penned pop song written and produced by David Jost who also is the man behind number 1 singles Geronimo by Aura Dione and I Like by Keri Hilson. The Way I Like It is much softer and fits perfectly the mainstream radio sound. So it probably has chances of becoming a real hit. Mandy Capristo might have some hopes for a longer solo career after this start.



Next significant move comes from German Baku star Roman Lob. The song Standing Still so far performed … annoying. After a good start at number 3 it tumbled out of the Top 20 sliding down to number 45. That drop was “supported” by the strange release policy for the video. Some days it was blocked – a few days it was available only on some special platforms … A month before the Eurovison contest his debut album Changes is in stores and can reach number 9 on the album list. The album gives the single a boost again and that jumps to number 19 which is the second highest ranking so far for the song. Let’s wait another four weeks when the contest is over and we’ll see the single flying to better heights probably.

Also Die Ärzte (The Doctors) have a new album in stores. auch (also) storms to Number 1 directly and lifts the single zeiDverschwÄndung (Waste of Time) back into the upper half of the survey.

A pre prime time serial gets more and more attention. Berlin – Tag & Nacht (Berlin–Night & Day) is something in between Big Brother and a regular daily soap. It is the story of people who share a flat in Berlin. The soap started back in September past year achieving only low rates. Already at the end of the year the interest was pretty high and even now the amount of followers rises staedily. There are actual reports seeing the soap overtaking such formats like the soft science magazine Galileo and the long time soap Alles was zählt (All That Matters). One of the song featured on Berlin – Tag & Nacht is ECHT by duo Glasperlenspiel. Since the start of the soap the track sneaks through the list peaking at number 9. This week it jumps again 95–73 in its 32nd chart week.



European Stuff
What works for German productions also does for international ones. Morten Harket offered his single Scared Of Heights which entered the list two weeks ago at number 48. Then it dropped as low as number 92 for bouncing back now to number 60 cause of the release of his album Out Of My Hands which debuts at an overwhelming number 3.

Spanish Sak Noel comes with part II of his Crazy Society trilogy. The formula does work in clubs. The mainstream isn’t that much infected as Paso (The Nini Anthem) starts its chart life at number 66.



How British acts are released in Germany is always a thing very hard to understand. example had a hit in Germany with Changed The Way You Kiss me in autumn 2011. It was the first appearance in German charts for the producer. Now Kickstarts was released as a single. It is a convincing and cool song of course. Anyway I don’t understand why Vertigo/UNIVERSAL decided to promote this track as the next single. Well, it was the most successful track of the 2010 album Won’t Quietly in Britain. Releasing older singles after a hit is quite common–but does this decision really makes sense? Wouldn’t it be much better to release the second British number 1 hit Stay Awake? A&R people for sure know what they do. example so far sees his second chart hit enter at a very low number 72. Hopefully soon the label will find a better strategy for promoting his tracks.



French DJ and producer Martin Solveig has a new offering available. After he had produced for Madonna some tracks he should be counted as one of the big players in business. His E.P. The Night Out does not fully match that expectation. After two weeks on sale as download album it sneaks in the list at number 99.